(While I'm not attempting the A to Z challenge, I'll try to match the letters when I post, so C is for censorship.)
No. I'm not talking about the perennial battles over books like Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn, I'm talking about self-censorship.
In my attempt to be either fish or fowl, I've become neither, and have stopped the free flow of words. My current work in progress is women's fiction and my main character and many of the other characters are Christian. While implementing new ministry for foster children at their church, they run headlong into the carnage of abuse.
The two main book markets are the American Booksellers Association (ABA) and the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA). In the ABA, voiced prayers and church references, even when they flow from my characters' cores, might not be saleable. While in the CBA, most publishers will not accept swearwords and no graphic violence or abuse--physical or sexual. And yet, that's at the core my main storyline.
I've decided that instead of limiting myself to either mindset, I'm going to let it all out--prayers and curses--and stop censoring myself before I start.
Okay, words, come on in. ; )
There's lots of other ways to self-censor yourself, but I'll save those for other posts.
